RADIO
In Week 1, T.J. Watt, Josh Allen, Jessie Bates III, and Zaire Franklin balled out. Watt, Allen, and 49ers DE Drake Jackson tied for the Week 1 lead with 3.0 sacks each. Bates made two interceptions and 10 combined tackles in his debut with the Falcons. And Franklin was one of only two defenders (the other being Dolphins safety Jevon Holland) to make double-digit solo tackles.
However, the IDP community suffered some significant injuries. Second-year Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean left his game after making six combined tackles and is doubtful for next week. The Eagles' two starting inside linebackers are two guys they signed in the past three weeks: Zack Cunningham and newly-added Rashaan Evans. Other significant injuries include Steelers DT Cameron Heyward (groin, multiple-week injury), Ravens S Marcus Williams (possible torn pec), Bears CB Kyler Gordon (hand), and Texans S Jalen Pitre (bruised lung).
Here's hoping for speedy recoveries for all injured players. In today's column, I will name 12 players at DL, LB, CB, and S who are seeing increased opportunities and production to add or keep an eye on.
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IDP Waiver Wire Adds for Shallow Leagues
Divine Deablo, LB, LV
Divine Deablo is the Raiders' three-down linebacker. He played 60 snaps and made eight combined tackles without missing a single tackle. He also excelled in pass coverage, allowing three completions for a total of zero yards. Granted his opponent, the Denver Broncos, only averaged 5.2 yards per pass.
An offense led by Russell Wilson throwing to Lil'Jordan Humphrey isn't going to put up Tua-to-Tyreek numbers, no matter who is in coverage. But Deablo struggled at pass coverage his first two seasons. If he continues to lock down opposing tight ends and running backs, then he'll keep his three-down role.
Carl Granderson, DE, NO
Granderson played 47 snaps and rushed the passer 31 times in Week 1, reflecting his new role as a primary pass rusher rather than part of a rotation. This puts him on pace for 800 snaps in a season, 320 more than he played last season.
He made five pressures and 1.5 sacks against the Titans, who feature a weak offensive line. Not every matchup will be that easy. Next week, the Saints face the Panthers, who have an above-average offensive line. Granderson has improved each year and is good enough to consider starting in a neutral matchup in six-starter IDP leagues.
Jessie Bates III, S, ATL
Panthers rookie QB Bryce Young dared to throw the ball into the vicinity of Jessie Bates III twice, and Bates picked him off twice. The safety already has his fifth multi-interception season in his six-year-long career. Now, I don't think he will make 34 interceptions this season. But he made seven solo tackles and three assists, too. His value for tackling should be more stable.
Ivan Pace, LB, MIN
After an impressive preseason, Pace played 46 snaps in Week 1 and did well, making seven solo tackles and one QB hit on one pressure. He was graded at 75.0 by PFF, which puts him firmly in the green. Brian Asamoah, Pace's chief rival for playing time, only played two defensive snaps and graded at an atrocious 38.4. Pace seems poised to continue holding onto the job as a starting 30+ snaps-per-game linebacker.
Don't Add: Yannick Ngakoue, DE, CHI
Chicago's new rotational pass rusher, Yannick Ngakoue, notched a sack on two pressures and 26 pass rushes. A 7.6% press rate is nothing to get excited about. Most of the start-worthy players are going to be pressuring the opposing passer at a rate of 10%-15%.
Don't Panic About: James Houston, DE, DET
Houston was hyped going into this season, as he finished the last seven games of his rookie season with seven sacks. His usage this season was still not clear. On Thursday Night Football, he played 21 snaps, 11 of which were pass rush snaps. He made two pressures and one hit on Patrick Mahomes.
He also dropped into pass coverage five times (31.3%), which was a high rate and probably an anomaly. As a rookie, he only dropped into coverage on about 15.5% of pass plays. You're going to hope he is utilized more as a pass rusher so he can make more hits and sacks going forward. I think he will do just that.
IDP Waiver Wire Adds for Deep Leagues
Rashaan Evans, LB, PHI
The fact that the Eagles added Evans shows they have concerns about whether Nakobe Dean will be available in Week 2 and beyond. Dean (foot) will be "out a couple weeks," coach Nick Sirianni said. "Just thankful that it's not longer than that."
The Eagles have historically been a good team for IDP linebackers. Beyond that, Evans could earn himself a job as the second linebacker; he and Zach Cunningham both graded at approximately 60 in PFF last year.
Tyson Campbell, CB, JAX
What makes Tyson Campbell interesting, apart from his interception ability, is his run defense. He made six solo tackles, including one stop for no gain on a running play. His run defense has graded at 69.9 or better every year, and it has improved. If he keeps it up, he'll add a good base of tackles to his already capable pass coverage.
DaRon Bland, CB, DAL
Bland tied for the league lead in interceptions last season, his rookie year. Now, he opened the season with a pick-six. It wasn't that he read the pass and jumped in front of it. He just happened to be standing by the receiver when it ricocheted off his hands, and Bland caught it. The play highlights Bland's reaction ability and soft hands -- both of which are key for making picks -- more than his coverage skills.
He was on the field for a team-high 55 snaps (mostly in the slot), assuaging concerns that he had been relegated to a backup role. (Stephon Gilmore and Trevon Diggs both played 54 snaps. The numbers show the Cowboys were using three cornerbacks for most of the game.)
Montez Sweat, DE, WAS
Sweat was in on two sacks on 32 pass rushes. He's on the right track to improve his pass rush productivity for another consecutive year. The Commanders' strong pass rush helps all of their defensive linemen.
Keep an Eye On
Daxton Hill, S, CIN
He made an interception against the Browns and did a good job in pass coverage. But Hill only made two solo tackles and no pass breakups. You can't count on him making an interception every game.
Kwon Alexander, LB, PIT
Alexander played 47 snaps and led the Steelers' inside linebackers in scoring. He made 10 tackles. He's 29 years old and has played for five different teams since 2018. He has never been graded with a PFF grade above 63.0. I am skeptical about whether he can continue being productive.
Darius Slay, CB, PHI
Slay made an interception in Week 1 but also allowed a touchdown pass and only made three tackles. There's a whole group of cornerbacks who are going to be available and going to make an interception from time to time. It's hard to predict who it's going to be any given week.
Drake Jackson, DE, SF
This second-year pass rush specialist made three sacks on 26 pass rushes. That's unsustainable, but it wouldn't be surprising if Jackson makes 6-12 sacks in a season. He was involved in four sacks as a rookie on 228 pass rushes. His snap count tells a story: two running plays, 26 pass rushes, and zero times dropping into coverage. He only has one responsibility when he's on the field: that's getting to the quarterback.
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